Extract

I. Introduction

The experimental approach to geological problems was introduced by Sir James Hall a century and a half ago at the dawn of Geology as a science, following even earlier tentative beginnings by de Saussure. Since then many have followed his lead. And yet it cannot be said that this type of research is truly flourishing and generally acknowledged as useful. The majority of earth scientists appears to be highly suspicious of, or actually opposed to, experimental attack on their problems. As one who has had recourse to laboratory methods in connection with almost a dozen separate problems in general geology, it behoves me to enquire into the cause of this poor estimate by others. In the present address I shall try to assess the value of past experiments in geology and to present some examples from my own research in an attempt to vindicate this method.

However, before an enquiry into the significance of experiments in the science of geology can be started two aspects of this problem must be defined more closely. First it is necessary to state how wide a meaning will be given to the term “Geology” and secondly the term “Experiment” will have to be given a definition.

The necessity of first stating what field is to be treated is clearly illustrated by a recent publication (Morey, 1956) bearing the bold title of “Experimental Geology” but limited to a summary of the latest experimental work on the crystallization of silicate melts. In the present

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